Propelling means for vessels



T. B. TAY LOR.

PROPBLLING MEANS FOR VESSELS.

APPLICATION TILED JUNE 1'7 1905- 1,065,479, Patented June 24, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

T. B. TAYLOR.

PROPELLING MEANS FOR VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1905. 1,065,479. Patented June 24, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

1 lxhbmeaoeo T. B. TAYLOR.

PROPELLING MEAN-S FOR VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1905. I

Patented June 24,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

AgXMMc oac 9 ime whoa W 7W T. B. TAYLOR.

PROPELLING MEANS FOR VESSELS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 17, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS B. TAYLOR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PROPELLING MEANS FOR VESSELS Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J tine 2.4, 1913.

Application filed June 17, 1905. Serial No. 265,658.

Be it known that I, THOMAS B. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New York city, county and State of New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Propelling Means for Vessels, ofwhich the following is a specification. Y

The object of my invention is to provide a propelling means forvessel'swhich will increase their speed by the expenditure of 'apredetermined amount of power.

A. furthent object of the; invention is to avoid cavitation. by thepropeller blades.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionof a propelli'ng mechanism whereby the propelling mechanism is enabledto strengthen the hull of the vessel in a longitudinal direction.

My invention relates to propelling means for vessels in which a waterway is provided, I

preferably within the hull of the vessel, and in which water way aplurality-of propelling means cooperate to propel the vessel; the waterway consists, in the best embodi-. ment of my invention, of a tube thecross section of which is small when compared with the cross-section ofthe greatest submerged section of the vessel; In the preferredembodimentof the invention the cross-section of the tube remains uniform and thetube contains no sudden and marked enlargements to create eddies andloss of energy. A plurality of propellers spaced so as to give themaximum effect, and avoid cavitation is mounted in the tube. In the bestembodiment of the invention suitable means are provided to prevent theswirl of illustrated in the drawings dividing plates water in the tubefrom being produced by the propellers. In the form of the invention areused which also provide a means for supporting. the shaft of thepropellers withparts. Fig. 4 is a transverse section through transversesection through a midship tion of the vessel showing the double bottom.Fig. 8 is a transverse section through of the propeller.

the propeller tube. Fig. 5 is a detail of a roller thrust bearing. Fig.6 is a sectional detail of the shaft coupling. Fig. 7 is a seca forwardsection of the vessel. Fig. 9 is a transverse section showing anotherform of my invention with two propeller tubes. Fig. 10 is a transversesection showing the double bottom. Fig. 11 is a plan view partly insection showing the inner bottom. Fig. 12 is a front view of the guard.Fig. 13 is a bottom plan viewof the guard.

In the drawings which illustrate two embodiments of my invention I haveshown thewater way in which the propelling means for the vessel arelocated, as consisting of a tube 1. This tube, in one embodiment of theinvention, is substantially uniform in its cross-section throughout itslength and the cross-sectional area of the tube is small comparedwiththe cross-sectional area-of. the

greatestsubmerged section of the vessel. In accordance with myinvention, I mount in the tube a plurality of propellers 2. Thesepropellers v are spaced at "suitable distance apart so as to enable themto produce a maxi mum thrust in propelling the vessel. I have found thatby using a plurality of pro pellers in a water way, in order to drivethe vessel, the addition of each additional pr'o' peller, willmaterially add to the driving effect of the system ofjprope lers,although the same predetermined amo t of power is used to drive thevessel in each case.

' When a propeller is in dpen water, it creates a difference in pressureforward and aft of the propeller.' A more or less com plete vacuum isproduced forward of the propeller, and a more or less sharply definedmaximum of pressure is produoedaft kind of cavitation. It is thisdifference in pressure that measures the thrust upon the propellershaft. I have, as a result of my The former effect is a experiments,discovered by placing a plu 'rality ofpropellers in a tubular waterway,that with the same expenditure of energy, the difference in pressureproduced by each propeller is reduced'but the thrust upon the propellershaft is increased. Each propeller is in the sphere of influence of theother, and the pressure produced by one tends to overcome Tthecavitation produced by the next propeller of the series. The propel:

lers are suitably spaced along the shaft within the tube 1, so as toproduce the maximum thrust upon the propellers and in turn upon thevessel.

A man hole is provided in the tube 1 and is preferably located so as topermit easy access to the propellers and entrance into the tube. It isclosed by a cover 1.

The propeller shaft 3 may be made in sections, if desired. The sectionsare connected in the best embodiment of the invention by the couplingshown in Fig. 3. In this figure the shaft coupling is located adjacentto one of the propellers. The portion 3 of the shaft carries one part ofa coupling 4, the coupling being secured to the shaft 3 by a key 5.Coupling pins 6, which enter holes in the coupling 4, are provided withheads 7 to engage recesses in the hub 8 of the propeller 2. Thepropeller is secured to the shaft 3" by a suitable key 9. By means ofthis coupling a flexible connection is made between the parts of theshaft. This coupling prevents the shaft from. binding in the bearings ifthe parts are sprung out of alincment. It will be ob served that thestructure of the propelling mechanism near the propeller is necessarilyweaker than the rest of the tube and its connections, the parts beinghere cut away. By locating the coupling near the propeller any tendencyproduced, for example by the motion of the boat, to distort or throw theshaft out ofalinement while the boat is under way. is accommodated andavoided by the flexible coupling.

Suitable means are provided to prevent the swirl of the water in thetube in which the propellers are mounted. In the best embodiment of theinvention I make use of partition plates 10 located adjacent to thepropellers. In the preferred form of the invention, the partition plates,eXtend aft of each propeller for a distance corresponding substantiallyto at least half of the pitch of the propeller. This prevents swirlingof the water without introducing undue frictional opposition to thepassage of the Water through the tube. In the best embodiment ofmyinvention the partition plates provide a means for supporting thepropeller shaft and rigidly mounting it Within the tube. In the drawingsthe plates 10 are secured to the tube 1 by means of angle irons 11.These angle irons preferably extend between thepartition plates so as tostrengthen the structure.

One or more bearing tubes 12 are secured to the partition plates 10. Thepreferred meansof securing the tubes to the plates are the means shownmore clearly in Fig. 4:. The plates are enlarged at 10 so as to embracethe tube 12. Shaft bearings 13 are mounted at intervals within the tub12. These bearings are made Bush with the bearing tubes 12 so asto avoidobstructing the flow of water through the water way.

In the best embodiment of my invention I provide means for resisting thethrust of the propellers and for transmitting it to the propeller tubeand hull of the vessel. A

plurality of thrust bearings 14 are located in front of each propellerso as to take the thrust when the vessel is going forward. In the bestembodiment of my invention the bearings are constructed as shown inFigs. 3 and 5.

An anti-friction device such as a plurality of conical rollers 15, eachmounted on its stud in the ring 16, is interposed between the bearing 13and the thrust collar or block 17. These thrust bearings are locatedadjacent to the propellers so that the thrust of the propeller isdirectly transmitted through the thrust collars, anti-friction bearingsand shaft bearings to the partition plates, propeller tube and hull ofthe vessel. I also arrange a thrust bearing to be used in backing, aftof one or more propellers. The corresponding parts of these In the bestembodiment of my invention I provide a gear wheel for driving theshaftwhich is constructed and arranged so as not to obstruct the passageof the water through the Water way. The driving gear wheel 18 is such agear wheel. The arms 19 of the gear wheel 18 are made in the shape ofpropeller blades. They preferably produce a thrust against the water inthe water way, and their length is at least equal to that of the otherpropeller blades. In the best embodiment of my invention I locate therim of the gear wheel 18 within a suitable recess. The inside diameterof the rim is substantially equal to that of the water way. This recessis preferably formed by a casing 19 secured to the tube 1 by any desiredmeans. I have shown angle irons 20 as one means of securing the casingto the tube. In the form of the invention illustrated upon the drawings,the recess incloses the face and sides of the rim of the gear wheel sothat the rim of the gear wheel does not obstructthe tube.

Suitable means are provided for driving the gear wheel. In the bestembodiment of my invention 1 equalize the driving effort for driving thepropeller shaft by means of a plurality of driving trains.

Compound engines 21 and 22 are located in the hull of the vessel onopposite sides of the propeller tube. Shafts 23 and 24 passing throughstuiiing boxes 25 and 26 are each provided with a gear 27 and 28. Thesegears engage preferably with the gear Wheel 18 at or near opposite sidesof the backing bearings are lettered 14 15, 16,

' construction of'the hull.

gear wheel. A Water tight casing is provided for the driving mechanism.In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, theplates 29 and 30 form the side walls of the casing and the plate 31secured to the side walls 29 and 30 by angle irons 32, 32 formsthecover. The bottom of the casing consists of the plate 33 which isrigidly secured to the intercostal plates 34 by means of the angle bar34. Angle irons 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40 firmly secure the casing tothe longitudinal plates l1 and 42 constituting part of the inner bottomplates of the double bottom of the vessel. These plates are in turnrigidly connected with the thwartship frames forming part of the Splashplates 40 and 40 partiallysurround the gear wheel 18 and are secured tothe side walls 29 and 30 of the casing by angle iroiis 40 and 40. Thesesplash plates prevent the water from splashing the gears 27 and 28.

Suitable means are provided for closing the tube when it is desired torepair or examine the propelling mechanism. In the best embodiment ofthe invention, this means consists of a plurality of gates which are somounted in the tube as not to weaken its construction and so that the'gates may act as valves and also serve the purpose of partition platesto prevent the swirl of the Water in the tube. With this object in view,I provide a gate 43 at each end of the tube. The gate is mounted upon ashaft and suit; able means such asv a worm Wheel 44 and hand wheel 45are provided for rotating the gate. ,When the gate extends lengthwise ofthe. tube it operates like the plates 10, to prevent thc swirling of thewater.

As a means for steering the vessel I pro vide, in the best embodiment ofmy, invention, a rudderftti with a portion 47 extend ingwithin the tube.The rudder is mounted on a post 48. The portion 47 conforms in shape. tothe 'cross-section of the'tube and in theform of the inventionillustrated upon the drawings, the portion 47. has a curved front edgeso as to. approximately fit the tube when the rudder is deflected. Bythis means thefront edge deflects ,the stream of water as it issues fromthe tube and in creases the efl'ectiveness of the steering. An-

other rudder 49 on a post 50 is arranged aft of the rudder 46 so as tocooperate with it if desired inthe steering action: to secure thiscooperation the post 48 and the post 50 are provided with means forcausing them to move in unison such as a segment at the upper end ofeach post and a flexible connecting device.

Suitable means are provided at the mouth of the propeller tube forpreventing the entry of foreign objects within the tube. Inaccordancewith my invention this means is so constructed as to oflergreat resistance to constitute a part of the deformation if it shouldstrike an 0bgtruc tion. As illustrated int-he drawing th guard comprisesa central backbone 51 i clined in a vertical plane. To this is connectedat one end the straight ribs 52 formed of fiat bars, having their otherends connected to the tube and hull-the thin edges of the ribs cuttingthe water as the vessel moves through it. The bodies of the ribs arearranged in planes parallel to the direction of movement of the vessel.In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the.drawings the tube is cutaway at an angle, the lower wall beingshortened, the central rib lyingina verti cal plane and the side ribs inhorizontal strength with the minimum of resistance to its passage.through the water.

In accordance with my invention I construct and arrange the-propellertube and its appurtenances that it constitutes an integral part of thelceelson of the vessel. By this means I not only do away withastructurehitherto considered extremely necessary in large vessels, .viz., thekeelson structure, but I also utilize the propeller tube to the bestadvantage so as to itself keelson and strengthen the bull in alongitudinal direction. 'In accordance with my invention, therefore, notonly does the propeller tube avoid weakening the construction of thehull but'it materially strengthens it.

In the best embodiment/of the invention the propeller tube, the interiorofwhich is rigidly connected to the thwartship frames "of the hull. Theconstruction and arrangement of the thwartship frames may be widelyvaried. In the best embodiment of the invention, thwartship plates aresecured to the shell plating of the hull and the propeller tube isrigidly connected to these plates by suitable connections.

Referring now moreparticularly to Figs. land I of the drawings, onemeans of securing thepropeller tube to the plates in accordance with myinvent-ion is illustrated.

In the vessel illustrated in the drawings a series of frames '53 and 54is provided to maintain the shape of the vessel and to strengthen itthwartship. The shell plates 55 are secured to the frames. The webframes 53-consist of web frame plates 56 to which the shell plates 55are secured by means of the anglebar frames 57. Face angle bars 58 areprovided to complete the web frames, these bars are connected to theplates 56. Stringer plates 59 are connected to the face bars 58 in theusual manner. As shown in the drawings, I have connected the propellertube with the thwartship floor plates. These plates comprise intercostalplates 60 secured to the angle bar frames 57. Angle bars 61 complete thefloor plate frames and afford a support for the inner bottom 41 and 42of the double bottom construction. In the best embodiment of myinvention when using an inner bottom I rigidly secure the propeller tubeto the inner bottom. The means for accomplishing this result may bevaried. I prefer to provide brackets 63 stiffened by a rib 64 forconnecting the propeller tube to the inner bottom. Angle irons 65 securethe brackets 63 to the inner bottom and angle irons 66 secure thetube tothe brackets. The tube cooperates with the inner bottom to complete itand assist in making the inner bottom water tight. v

The formation of the frames and tube near the bow of the vessel is.shown iii Fig. 8. The numerals in this figure indicate the same partsthat are illustrated in the other figures. The thwartship frames of thevessel are rigidly connected together by means of the stringer slates 59and the longitudinal plates 67. The plates 67 are secured to the shellplating of the vessel by angle irons 68. The tube is secured to theplates 67 by angle irons 69. Angle clips 70 are used to connect thelongitudinal plates to the thwartship plates 60.

By the above means a rigid'keelson construction is secured in thepropeller tube forming an integral part of the keelson.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 9, I make use of aplurality of propeller tubes. In this figure the same parts are used asin the apparatus illustrated in the other figures of the drawings. Theinner bottom is shown at 41 and 42. Each tube is provided with a rudderextending into the tube.

The propeller tubes form the main constituents of the keelson. Floorplates 71 are secured to the shell of the vessel by means of angle bars72. Longitudinal plates 73 secured to the shell plates by angle irons 74are connected to the floor plates by clips 7 5. The propeller tubes areconnected to the inner bottom and floor plates by stiffened brackets 76.Angle irons 77 secure the tubes to the brackets. Angle irons 78 securethe brackets to the floor plates and inner bottom. Angle irons 79 securea dividing bulkhead 80 to the center line keelson 81. This bulkheadoffers a meansof separating the propeller tubes, engines, etc., fromeach other and divides the vessel into longitudinal compartments. Angleirons 82 are provided to stiffen the bulkhead.

My invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the particularconstruction shown, as many changes other than those herein suggestedmay be made in such construction without departing from the prin--ciples of my invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.Nor is my invention limited to any particular theory or mode of action.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus for propelling vessels the combination of a tube ofuniform, circular cross-section from end to end, fixed to the hullparallel to the keelson, a propelling shaft extending from end to end ofsaid tube supported at the axis thereof, concentric tube sections, meansfor supporting each tube section within the main tube and bearings forsaid shaft, one within each tube section.

2. In a means for propelling vessels, the combination of a main tube ofuniform, circular cross-section fixed to the hull parallel with thekeelson, a propelling shaft extendcentric tube sections supported uponthe interior wall of the main tube,' a series of bearings'for saidshaft, one in the end of each tube section adjacent to each propellerwheel and means for driving said shaft located in the hull.

t"). In a means for propelling vessels the combination of a tube ofuniform, circular cross-section fixed to the hull parallel with thekeelson and extending substantially from one end of the keelson to theother, a propelling shaft extending from end to end of the tube,concentric tube sections supported at diametrically opposite points onthe interior of the main tube wall, bearings .for said shaft, one withineach tube section,

a plurality of propelling wheels fixed tosaid shaft and means fordriving said shaft.

4. In a means for propelling vessels the combination of a tube ofuniform, circular cross section fixed to the hull parallel to thekeelson, a sectional propelling sh 'aft extending from end to end of thetube, means for supporting said shaftlocated at intervals on theinterior of said tube, comprising concentric tube sections fixed inposition, a series of propelling wheels fixedto said shaft,'means for'preventing the swirl of water in the tube consisting of plates fixed inposition in a fore and aft line, each ex tending a distance at leastequal to half the pitch of the adjacent propeller and means for drivingsaid shaft located in the hull.

5. In a means for propelling vessels, the combination of a tube ofsubstantially uniform, circular cross-section fixed to the hull parallelwith the keelson, a propelling shaft extending from end to end of thetube and supported at the axis thereof, a series of propelling wheelsfixed to said shaft each substantially equal in diameter to thediammeans for supporting said section within the main tube and bearingsfor said shaft within said tube section.

6. In a vessel the combination of a suitable hull, a tube of uniform,circular cross section fixed on the interior of the hull, concentrictube sections fixed in position within said first tube, a propellingshaft consisting of a series of jointed sections central within saidtube sections, bearings for said shaft sections, one in the end of eachtube section, a series of propelling wheels one fixed in .closeproximity to each joint of said shaft,

and a source of motive power located in the hull and connected with saidshaft.

7. In a means for propelling vessels, the combination of a tube ofsubstantially uniform, circular cross-section fixed to the hull, akeelson parallel with the major axis of said tube, a propelling shaftextending from end to end of the tube, a series of bearings for saidshaft and means for connecting said bearings with the interior of saidtube consisting' of a sectional concentric tube and plates uniting saidtube sections with the main tube.

8. A vessel comprising in combination athereof, means for propellingsaid vessel located in the tube and a plurality of rudders, oneextending within the tube, a second located aft of the first namedrudder and means" for causing said rudders to cooperate.

10. In a vessel, the combination with the hull, of a removable tubelocated within said hull, said tube extending longitudinally of thevessel, plates arranged thwartship, angle bars for securing said platesto the shell of the hull, means for securing said tube to said platesand means comprising a series of spaced propellers located within saidtube for propelling said vessel.

11. In a vessel, the combination with the hull, of a removable tubelocated within said hull, said tube extending longitudinally of thevessel, plates arranged thwartship, angle bars for securing said platesto the shell of the hull, brackets, means for connecting said bracketsto said plates, angle bars for curing said brackets to said tube, andmeans located within said tube for propelling said vessel.

12. In a means for propelling vessels, the combination with the hull ofa tube of substantially uniform, circular cross-section fixed inposition in said hull parallel with the keelson, the forward end ofsaidtube being cut away at an acute angle, a propelling shaft consistingof articulated sections extending from end to end of said tube, aconcentric tube section for each section of the shaft, thrust bearingsconnecting said shaft with said tube sections, a series of platesparallel with the axis of the tube connecting the tube sections with themain tube, propeller wheels fixed on said shaft, one for each pair oftube sections, means for driving said shaft, and an inlet guard locatedwithin the opening in the tube.

13. In a means for propelling vessels, the combination with the hull ofa tube of substantially uniform, circular cross-section fixed inposition in said hull parallel with the keelson, the forward end of saidtube being cut away at an acute angle with the axis thereof, apropelling shaft consisting-of articulated sections extending from endto end .of said tube, concentric tube sections of smaller diameter foreach shaft sect-ion, thrust bearings connecting said shaft withsaidt-ube sections, a series of plates arranged in fore and aft planesconnecting the tube sections with the main tube, 1 propelling wheelsfixed on said shaft at the junction of the tube sections, means fordriving said shaft and an inlet guard within the forward opening in thetube consisting of a plate or strip fixed in the plane of the axis ofthe tube, and two series of plates or strips having their ends fixed tothe interior wall of the tube and their opposite ends converging onthe'first named plane or strip.

14. In a vessel the combination of a hull, a tube of substantially,uniform, circular cross-section extending longitudinally thereof, arudder at the rear end of said tube located outside said tube extendingwithin said tube and provided with a curved edge approximately fittingthe curvature of the tube when the rudder is deflected and a secondrudder located on the hull at the rear of the first named rudder, saidsecond rudder being mechanically connected to move in unison with thefirst rudder.

15. A vessel, comprising in combination, a hull, a tube extendinglongitudinally thereof, partition plates located within the tube andsecured thereto, said plates being suitably curvcd at their middleportions, a tube supported within the curved portions of said plates,bearings supported by the tube, a shaft extending through said bearingsand a series of propellers carried on the shaft.

16. In a vessel the combination of a hull, a tube of substantiallyuniform, circular crosssection fixed in position parallel with thekeelson, a series of propelling wheels within said tube, a jointed shaftfor driving said wheels, dividing plates fixed in the tubelongitudinally and a rudder having a curved front edge entering saidtube.

17. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a tube extendinglongitudinally thereof, a series of dividing partitions extendinglongitudinally of the tube and formed with central hollow enlargements,a tube supported within the hollow spaces of said enlargements, bearingssupported by the tube and a propeller shaft supported in the bearmgs.

18. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a tube extendinglongitudinally thereof, dividing plates located within the tube andformed with central hollow enlargements, a tube supported within thehollow spaces of said enlargements, thrust bearings supported by thetube, a shaft extending through the thrust bearings, and a series ofpropellers carried on the shaft.

19. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, having a tube or channel, adriving means, a shaft supported in the tube, a plurality of propdllerssuitably spaced on said shaft, a tubular member surrounding said shaftand having bearings flush with the tubular member within the tube,whereby the resistance to the flow of water will be lessened, and rotarygates serving the function of dividing plates, and also serving asvalves.

20. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a tube extendinglongitudinally thereof, dividin plates in said tube, a shaft supported ysaid dividing plates, propellers carried by saidshaft, a plurality ofthrust blocks surrounding said shaft and located adjacent to individualpropellers, and a roller bearing interven ng between the thrust blocks.

21. In a vessel, the combination of a tube, dividing plates therein, ashaft carrying propellers and supported by the dividing plates, athrust-block surrounding the shaft and bearing against a dividing plate,another block also surrounding the shaft and adapted to receive thethrust of a propeller, and a roller bearing intervening bet-ween theblocks.

22. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a tube extendinglongitudinally thereof, dividing plates in said tube, a shaft supportedby said dividing plates, a driving wheel on said shaft and an annularrecess offset from the said tube receiving the rim of said wheel, saidrecess inclosing the face and both edges of the rim of saidwheel,whereby the rim of the wheel does not obstruct the tube.

23. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a tube carried thereby andextending longitudinally thereof, said tube having an annular recess,the said tube being provided with a shaft having propellers forpropelling the vessel, a driving wheellocated straight ribs extendingsubstantially horrzontally from the .curved edges to the backbone, andconvergin in a forward direction, and dividing p ates, therebypreventing the swirl of water.

25. In a vessel the combination of a hull, a tube fixed to the hull in aline parallel with the keelson, said tube having its forward end cutaway at an acute angle, a

plurality of propellers located within said tube, an inlet guard locatedwithin the opening in the forward end of said tube, said guardcomprising an inclined, central backbone and straight ribs extendingfrom the.

inner 'wall of the tube to the backbone converging toward the end of thetube.

26. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a tube fixed to the hull ina line parallel with the keelson, said tube having its forward -end cutaway at an angle, propellers located in said tube, an inlet guardlocated within the opening in the forward end of the t-ube, said guardcomprising thin, fiat strips or plates presenting their edges to cut thewater in the forward movement of the vessel.

27. In a vessel the combination with the hull of a tube fixed to thehull in a line inclined, central strip or plate and two series 1 of flatplates or strips extending from the inner wall and converging at saidcentral strip.

28. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a tube, a plurality ofpropellers in said tube, one of said propellers comprising a drivingwheel, the arms of'which form propeller blades, said tube being providedwith an annular recess, in which the rim of said propeller wheel islocated.

29. In a vessel the combination with the hull of a tube fixed to thehull parallel with the keelson, a propelling shaft within said tubecomposed of a series of articulated sections, a plurality of propellerwheels, one on each shaft section, a plurality of separate engines fordriving said shaft, connected to said shaft through a single unitaryconnection on said shaft, and anti-friction thrust bearings for eachsection of said shaft, said bearings being located on opposite sides ofprovide for movement in shaft sections fore and aft of each propellerand means for driving the shaft.

31. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, two tubes'of substantiallyuniform, circular cross-section within said hull upon opposite sides ofthe keelson and parallel therewith, thwartship plates for securing saidtubes within said hull, a driving shaft consisting of articulatedsections for each tube extending from end to end thereof, a plurality ofpropellers within each tube, one for each driving shaft section, andmeans for driving said shafts.

32. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a plurality of tubes withinsaid hull, a longitudinal bulkhead between the tubes, a plurality ofpropellers within each tube, and means for securing said tubes and saidbulkhead to said hull.

33. In a vessel the combination with the hull,'of an inner bottomtherefor, a tube of substantially uniform, circular cross-section fixedto said inner bottom parallel with the keelson, a pluralit of propellersin said tube, a driving sha t extending from end to end of the tube onwhich said propellers are fixed, and means for driving said shaft.

34. In a vessel the combination with the hull of an inner bottomtherefor, a tube of substantially uniform, circular cross-sectionlocated on said inner bottom parallel with the keelson, thwartshipplates connecting said tube to said inner bottom, a plurality ofpropellers in said tube, a propelling shaft extending from end to end ofthe tube concentric therewith and means for driving said shaft.

35. In a vessel the combination with the hull of a plurality of tubes ofsubstantially uniform, circular cross-section, an inner bottom for saidhull upon which said tubes are located, thwartship plates for connectingsaidtubes to said inner bottom, a plurality of propellers in each tube,a concentric shaft in each tube extending from end to end thereof andmeans for driving said shaft.

36. In a vessel, the combination of a hull, a plurality of tubes, aplurality of pro pellers in each tube, thwartship plates, an innerbottom. and a longitudinal bulkhead between adjacent tubes, and meansfor securing said parts together.

In testimony whereof, I have signed iny name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS B. TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM F. BISSING,- EDWIN Sacra.

